Improvement in car-couplings



A. l. AM BLER.

Car Coupling.

No. 36,382. Patented sept. 2, 1862.

MNM

PLPETERS. PHOTO-LITHQGHAFHER. WASHINGTON. D C4 NiTnn STATES ATENTOFFICE. l

AUGUSTIN E IREL AMBLER, OF MILVAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR 'IO HIM- SELF,R. N. AMBLER, AND W. MARTIN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT EN CAR=CYOUPLINGS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 36,382, dated September2, 1862.

To alwtom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTINE IREL AM- BLER, of Milwaukee, in the countyof Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and ImprovedOar-Coupling; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which-.-

Figure l is a side view of my invention, the framing in which thecoupling is fitted being a section, as indicated by the line x x, Fig.2; Fig. 2, a plan or top view of the same; Fig. 3., a vertical sectionof the same, taken in the line y y, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severaliigures.

This invention relates to an improvement in the ordinary car-couplingnow in general use, and which consists simply of a socket formed at theend of the drawbar and provided with a vertical pin,which secures thelink or shackle within it, the link or shackle forming the connectionbetweenv the draw-bars of two adjoining cars. This coupling, althoughpossessing some disadvantages, has, on account of its simplicity, thesmall cost with which it may be constructed, and not being liable to getout of repair or become deranged by use, not been superseded by any ofthe more pretentious couplings hitherto devised. In many of the latteradvantages have been attained not possessed by th-e old coupling, but atthe same time they all have thus far proved to have some objectionableor impracticable feature, which has served to prevent their generaladoption.

The within-described invention consists in a very simple modificationofthe old coupling, by which the link or shackle may be adj usted in thedraw-bars of two adjoining cars when the former are in contact, the linkor shackle not requiring to be adj usted longitudinally in thedraw-heads by hand, as hitherto,when one or both cars are moving incontact. To effect this result I construct the drawfbars,or, rather, thesockets thereof, with a slot extending around the front and both sidesin such a manner that the link or shackle may be inserted laterally inthe sockets as well as longitudinally, as hereinafter fully described.

The invention also consistsin asiinple means for preventing the casualdetachment of the link or shackle pins, and also the links or shacklesthemselves, from the draw-bars.

The invention also consists in the employment or use of an adjustingmechanism arranged with 'the draw-bars in such a manner that the lattermay be elevated or depressed, so as to suit the different height ofcars-that is to say, enable the draw-bars of adjoining cars to bebroughtin line with each other when the platforms of the same are atdifferent heights.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct myinvention, I will proceed to describe it.

A A represent the draw-bars of two adj oinf ing cars. These draw-barsmay be constructed of wrought or cast iron, and they are secured tethebuienrods or to buii'er-frames B by means of joints or hinges a a,which admit 0f the front ends of the drawbars being raised or lowered.The draw-bars are provided with sockets b at their front or outer endsto receive the link or shackle O. Each socket b is proA vided with alinkor shackle, which is permanently secured in it by means ofasmal1link,D, through which abolt, c,passes, said bolt passingvertically through the back part of thesocket. The sockets b, instead ofbeing formed in the front ends of the draw-balsas usual, are formed of aslot, which passes entirely through the draw-bars from side to side, theopening at each side being equal to the length of the sockets, as shownin Fig. l. The socketsbare not of equal depth throughout, they beingrather deeper at the front ends of the draw-bars at the center, as shownat l, Figs. l and 8, gradually contracting toward the corners, as shownat Fig. 2, and then increasing in depth at their back ends and sides, asshown at 3. The shallewest part of the sockets b, however, issufficiently deep to admit of the link or shackle C passing into it. I

Each draw-bar A is provided with a vertical pin, E, fitted in it inasuitable hole, and in the lower part of each pinakey, d,is inserted.These .keys d prevent the pins E being withdrawn from the draw-bars,or,rather,from the sockets thereof, except when they are so turned thatthekeys will be in line with slots e made in the lower parts of thedraw-bars adjoining the pin-poles. (See Fig. 3.) In the upper parts ofthe draw-bars there are made similar slots or recesses, f, to receivethe keys d when thepinsareraised,so thatthelatter eannotserve as anobstruction to the link or shackle when the latter is being withdrawnfrom the sockets. The slots or recesses f, however, do not extendthrough the upper parts of the drawbars, and the pins 4therefore cannotbecome casually detached from the draw-bars. (See Fig. 3.) By thisarrangement it will be seen that the links or shackles may be adjustedlaterally in the draw-bars equally as well as 1ongitudinally, and hencethe two draw-bars may be connected by either link or shackle when theyare not in motion toward each other, as formerly required, and they maybe connected even when in contact with each other and at rest. Thepeculiar shape of the sockets badmits ofthe links or shackles beingturned to one side in the draw-bars and held in proper position, andstill admits of either of vthe former having sufficient play-room' whencoupled or connected to the drawbars. Thus I retain all the advantagesof the old coupling and at the same time attain the advantages juststated of the lateral adjustment of the link or shackle" in the socketsof the draw-bars. The ordinary chains for securing the link or shacklepins to the draw-bars are dispensed with by providing the pinsE with thekeys d, as described. By having a link or shackle, C, secured to eachdraw-bar A, as described, the former are prevented from being lost ormislaid, and each l' draw-bar always has a link or shackle ready h, thebearings of which are attached to the under sides of the frames. B.These shafts may be turned by a screw, i, and worm-wheel j. or by cranksle, attached directly to the shafts. In the latter case a ratchet, Z, isplaced on the shafts, a pawl, m, engaging with the ,ratchet to preventthe casual turning of the eccentric. By this means the draw-bars of twoadjoining ears the platforms of which Vary in height may be brought inline with each other with the greatest facility.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desiretosecure by Letters Patent, is-` 1. kProviding the draw-bars A withsockets b,extending entirely through them from side to side to admit ofthe lateral insertion of the link or shackle C,as and for the purposeherein set forth.

2. The keys d, tit-ted in the` lower parts of the pin E, in combinationwith the slotseand' recesses f in the draw-bars, as and for the purposespecified.

3. The securing of the links or shackles C in the draw-bars A A by meansof thelinksD and bolts c, when usedin connection with the socketsb,extending entirely through the drawbars from side to side, as setforth.

4. Adjusting the draw-bars A vertically at their outer ends to suit carsor platforms of diierent heights by means of eccentries, cranks, ortheir equivalents placed on shafts and having the draw-bars resting onthem, and operating or turned by means of cranks or gearing, as setforth.`

5. The combination of the sockets b, links or shackles C, and pins E,all arranged in connection with the draw-bars A, as and for the purposeset forth.

AUGUSTINE IREL AMBLER.

Witnesses:

Jas. VAN VICHTEN, P. H. WITE.

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